Three Miners garner C-USA All-Freshman honors

UTEP wide receiver Warren Redix is one of the returning receivers for the Miners.(Photo11: RUDY GUTIERREZ / EL PASO TIMES)

Irving, Texas – Michael Lewis, Warren Redix and Cole Ford were named to the 2015 Conference USA All-Freshman team the league announced on Tuesday.

Lewis played in all 12 games and made eight starts as a safety. The freshman finished the season with 38 tackles (28 solo). The Trinity, Texas native registered career-highs versus Southern Miss and FIU with six tackles. Lewis finished the season with six showings of four or more tackles. The safety was an integral part of the secondary that held LA Tech to only 307 total yards, which was a season low for the Bulldogs.

Redix played in 11 games seeing action as a wide receiver, running back, kick returner and punt returner. The El Paso native took over punt returner duties during the Miners victory over Rice. The all-around player notched three punt returns versus Old Dominion and notched a career-high 75 yards on four receptions. The freshman concluded the season ranked third on the team in receptions with 29 for 202 yards and added 136 yards (5.9 avg.) on the ground.

Ford saw action in the last nine games of the season. The true freshman was utilized as a blocking tight end, helping the Miners establish a running game later in the season. The Bothell, Washington native caught two passes for 12 yards versus Old Dominion, including a career-long of 14 yards.

Eight Miners were also named 2015 C-USA All-Honorable Mention. Leading the offense was Will Hernandez, who is part of the offensive unit that only allowed 12 sacks in 12 games. UTEP ranks first in the league and is seventh nationally in fewest sacks allowed.

Hayden Plinke was named to the 2015 John Mackey Award Midseason Watch List. The transfer tallied 37 receptions for 405 yards, ranking second in both categories for the Miners. The tight end registered career-high nine receptions for 85 yards against Rice.

Aaron Jones played in the first two games of the season before sustaining a season ending injury. The junior rushed for 209 yards on 32 attempts (6.5 avg.) and a touchdown. The El Paso native gained 139 yards on 17 carries, including a school-record 91-yard sprint for a touchdown and had a 24-yard touchdown catch versus Texas Tech.

On defense, Alvin Jones garnered honors as the sophomore led the team in tackles (93), solo stops (48), sacks (6.5), tackles for loss (14.5) and two safeties. The linebacker is tied for first in the league in tackles for loss and rates sixth in sacks. The El Paso native recorded a three-sack performance against UTSA tying second most in a single game in C-USA.

Nick Usher earned recognition ranking second on the team in sacks (3.5), tackles for loss (10.0) and quarterback hurries (four) – all career highs in a single season and is fourth on the team with a season-best 46 tackles. The defensive end finished the season with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a blocked kick, 3.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries.

Team captain, Jimmy Musgrave concluded his senior campaign ranking second on the team with 59 tackles. The linebacker led the team in tackles versus UTSA with a career-high 12. The senior notched 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, two quarterback hurry and one fumble forced.

On special teams, Jay Mattox was 15-for-19 on field goal conversions and rates third in the league in field goal percentage (78.9). The kicker led the Miners in points with 68 and was 23-24 in extra attempts. The sophomore also averaged 63.9 on kickoffs with 31 touchbacks this season.

Newcomer Alan Luna finished his first season ranking 14th in the nation and second in the league in punting averaging 44.4. The sophomore kicked 65 punts for 2,885 yards, including 15 inside the 20-yard line and 21 punts of 50 or more yards. He recorded a season-high in punts (eight), yards (375) and average (46.9) at FIU.

Junior College Signing Day is slated for Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Read or Share this story: http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/sports/college/blogs/utep-sports/2015/12/08/three-miners-garner-c-usa-all-freshman-honors/77000344/